Medication related nursing activities in a computerized unit dose system. A work sampling analysis

In planning for decentralization of Pharmacy Services a 2-month study of registered nurses was conducted using the work sampling technique. A quantitative analysis was made of the time which was spent in different medication related activities. Two floors which were thought to be representative of the hospital, a medical floor and a surgical floor, were selected. A classification of activities and a sampling form were prepared and evaluated in a 1 week pilot study. Instantaneous observations were made throughout the 24 hour day at random intervals and recorded on the sampling form. Over 9,400 observations were made. Registered nurses spent 11.39 z 0.66% (mean z SE) of their time in medication related activities.